Television reporting system



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 25. 1949 0252M OOEwQ womwitoo 6 ENE 3 John Davis ATTORNEY Sept; 11,1951 J. D. DAVIS Y Y 2,557,189

TELEVISION REPORTING SYSTEM Filed July 25. 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVEN OR John D auas' ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 11, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,567,189 TELEVISION REPORTING SYSTEM John 1). Davis, Dobbs Ferry, N. Y.

Application July 25, 1949, Serial No. 106,605

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a reportin system and it particularly relates to a television reporting system.

Although the present invention has broad application in respect to reporting of news, sports, time and other events, situations or information material, it will be particularly described and has a particular application to the reporting of weather and weather forecasts.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a readily manipulated, easily set up and immediately understood weather reporting system which may be used in connection with television broadcasts, and which may also be used in locations to show the status of the weather or future weather forecasts.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of 11- lustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been most suitable, according to one embodiment of the present invention, to provide a conveniently aligned and decorated map having a plurality of legends to be placed thereon, which may be employed to indicate the current weather as well as the expected changes and future conditions thereof.

In one form of the invention, the map has a base structure which will enable ready and rapid attachment or positioning thereon of adjustable and removable weather symbols, showing cloudiness, rain, snow, sunshine and so forth, and also a plurality of adjustable and removable symbols showing weather fronts and general directions of movement of weather fronts and air masses.

In one preferred form, the various symbols may be provided with small magnetic inserts of a permanent, magnetic material and the back of the map may be provided with solenoids or other magnetic-attracting materials to hold such symbols in position.

The emblems may also be provided with bulbs or indicating elements to be fed from a source of current supply, as for example closely spaced conductor bars or tracks positioned over the map, and they might also be provided with flasher means to cause a constant flashing effect and to attract attention to a particular legend or symbol. This series of parallel spaced tracks upon the board may be alternately connected to opposite sides of a potential which will be sufllcient to illuminate a lamp or other flasher or indicating device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the .scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several, views:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a type of weather map which may be utilized in the course of the process of the invention. I

Fig. 2 is an enlarged, transverse, sectional view upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a rear view of an adjustable arrow construction to show the direction of movement of weather fronts or winds upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a transverse constructional view upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3 upon an enlarged scale as compared to Fig. 3.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a baseboard l0 having a plurality of closely parallel, spaced conduits ll separated by insulation 9. These conduits II as indicated are diagrammatically fed from an electrical source l2 and I3 of 17, 50, or even 220 volts A. C. or D. C.

The map Ill, with suitable distortion, will show various states, such as New York at l4, Pennsylvania at I5, Virginia at 16, and the Great Lakes, for example, being indicated at H, with the ocean being suitably represented in a contrasting color at 18.

At the top of the map will be a legend as indicated at 19, while at the bottom of the map there will be provided an explanatory chart, as indicated at 20, to give the explanation of the different symbols used.

There will be shown a symbol of the sun at 2|, indicating clear, a symbol of a light cloud indicating showers at 22, a symbol of thunder storms at 23, a symbol of a partly obscured sun to indicate partly cloudy at 24, and a symbol of a snow cloud with falling snow at 25.

At desired positions in and about the map, these various symbols may be held in position by providing either pegs or preferably by providing a magnet in the back of the symbol and in back of the map. As shown, the weather is indicated by the sun symbol at 26 in Fig. 1,..the snow symbol at 21, the thunder shower symbol at 28 and 33, the cloudy symbol at 29, the partly cloudy symbol at 30, and the rain symbol at 31 and 32.

At the same time the arrows which may be attached by pegs or by magnetic means, as indicated at 34, will indicate the direction of the wind, while the short bars as indicated at 35, 36, 31 and 38 will indicate the weather fronts.

The adjustable large arrow 50 Will indicate the general movement of cold masses of air and the approach or movement of cold or warm weather.

. 3 Themap. as shown; in Fig. '1 may also have'a permanent legend, as indicated at to indicate the direction or true north and it may also beprovided with a scale and a moving pointer 53 to indicate the temperature in the-zone-or area,

indicated at 54.

Referring to Fig. 2, there is sh'owna; typical symbol, for example indicating thunder: StQrms the base 56. The-base 56, as well as thecup 69,,

are desirably of translucent or transparent plastic or glass materials.

Projecting down through the: bosses: 64 and 65 are the studs 9% and ti carrying theelectrical contact feet 6'8 and- 59. The-feet 68- and 69 are. designed to rest upon theelectrical conduit; bars I I indicateddn Fig. 2 bynuineral's ID-and II.

The electrical conduits II,-'I0 and 'l l constitute part of the electrical conduit system, indicated at I2 and I3'in'Fig. 1; and they-are desirably separated by theinsulating strips a, 12, I3. and I4 and they are mounted uponthe insulating backing It. On the-back oftheboard I9 there may also be provided the aluminumnickel alloy. magnet strips 71; I8, I9 and89', which mayxcooperate with the magneticmetal' material 53 to.hold the symbols, as shown-in Fig. 2, in: adesired. adjusted position upon the -board I9.

Attached to the stud'sBBand 61 by the screws 8| and 82 are the U-shaped'angle conductors-83 and 84. These conductors have upwardly extend ing, vertical legs" 85 -and 86:and.reversely: turned horizontal legs 81 and 88.

The leg 88 takes the form of a plate 97. having threadednecks 89 99* and 911 andhaving a.down turned end portion 92 fitted in the recess, 93,111

the skirt5'l. In the threaded. portions 89,, 99 and 9i arescrewedthe lamps 9.4-, 95:and 95.

These lamps 94, 95 and. 95.will;illuminate the top plate 61 and'giveamost striking appearance to the symbol.

The leg 811 consistsoi a thermostatic strip. and is encircled by the coil III) which when actuated will cause-the thermostatic strip I I I to bend downwardly, as'indicated at H2. Thiswill cause the contact. button I. I3:to; separate from the ad justable screw contact H4. The contact H4 is screwed into the conducting leaf II5. The leaf H5 is riveted at H6 to thearm. I ll of the. plate I I8 whichcontacts-with thedownwardly project ing central,terminals lw, I m-and l2l of th'e lamps 94; 95 and.96 The: arm II] will be supthe; stud. H4 in they directionZ H2, frequently breaking the circuit at H ii -I'M and causing flashing of the lamps 94, 95 and 96.

The bracket 84 will support the arm II8 withoutihein'g;ingelectrical communication therewith.

Atthesa-me time the magnetic plate 63 will hold the symbol" in position on the board by attraction ofthestrips-flft, 18,, I9 and 80, which may be made of a permanent magnetic alloy.

In the adjustable arrow device of Fig. 3 there is shown a pointer section I49, the intermediate magnetic sections: Mil I42; aniatail; section I43, and the GOIIDQCfiHgT QQHQUSZ lflwand I45. These sections I44 and I are connectedby I38; rivets lrdliand. I41: fittingdnslots I99, I48 and I49.

Inserted; on: the. base of, the. elements I40, IIII,

. I42 and. In; are. a plura ity f pe ma ma neticinsentslill, I51, I52 and;l5,3; which are-held in; position: by the-nonmagnetic plates; I54.- (see Fig. 4) retainedzbytbe rivets: I in. the plastic bodies- Ii56.. The arrows; 3.4 and; bars '35, .36, 31 and. 3&1 QnFia. 1i. may beef;- similar. cons ruction, a dndicatedinEie; 4-, to; provide magnetic means for-holding. the device in, desired, adjusted posi- 25 tion; as shown. onathelmapinFig. 1.

ported by the rivet I'IB upon the arm. I22. The

arm I22 atits 10W8r end isgmounted on the screw 82, and its upper end supports the botton'i', end of the rivet IIG-bythqinsulating collar I23/ As indicated inFig Z, the current willbesupplied from the conductors I0 and 'II throueh the studs 66 and 61 of the bracket's93and 8'4; Lthe thermostatic device I III-I I I, the contact I I 3, the adjustable pin I I4, and the arm I I8 to, the lamps 94, 95 and 96. V

The auxiliary heating. coil IIII, which may be connected in the circuit, will heat the thermostatic strip III to cause it to move away from It. isithus: apparent; that the; present. application has devised a; display board: particularly for use: in televisioni or for: permanent. display, by meansoi'; whichitispossible atall times by-ready adjustments togivea. visible. picture of the weather to come, whichii'sureadablezby the layman without-necessity of charts-or: explanatory details.

Theflashing members-9.4; 95: and;96 in the plastic casing :59: will. give: amost: attractive display. Thevarious condudtingistripsa II; may be madeof paint or thin strips of aluminum and-the electrical arrangementwhich. is: siippliedat I2 and I3: may. consist: of a relatiyelyrlow. voltage as by a battery; The, permanent; masnetelements 63, 1:1, I8 19;. 8.9, I59. I51, I52: and; I59 will assure that the symbols Willlbfi heldin adjustable, positionuponthe-board.

Thecoutrol board as -;shown;in-.-Fig; 1 maybe provided with arrangements to provide; separate controls. for diffierentisectionsoi;theboard corresponding. to. different: states: or: areas. Such area, for example, may-bet-he metrppolitanNew York-area. or the Newv Englandstates-or middle Atlantic states which may. be.- provided; with: individual electrical controls:

Forv example the flasher arrangement shown ii'iEig; Zmay; b'e soi constructedthat it Will only flash at a voltage of 6 volts, while if thevoltage dropsto 4% voltsthelight frombulbs; 9,4, 95, 96 will: be steady and. will: not flash. This, may be accomplished? by. providing connections todifferent: sections on panel'srof. theboard. of Fig. 1 to enable one OIi'mCIIfiDQttBTiESWQbe cutinor to be cut out or to cut in or out a; resistance in the lineor by. regulating; transformers. The heater coil: I i 9: will. not be}. effective to; generate sufficient l'l eatianinsufii'ciently highivoltages, such as .4% voltsiorhelowtfi :vbltszito.ractuatevthafiasher. "While there hasabeen describedalpreferred form or: the: invention itrxshould baunderstood that the==same-.-mam bw'a'itered in .det'ails xand. in; rela- I tiye iarrangementi'ofa parts-within the scope of the appendeds'olaiins;

board, said board being provided with a plurality of closely spaced electrical conduit strips alternately charged positively and negatively and said symbols being provided with positive and negative legs to contact said conduit strips, said symbols each consisting of a transparent plastic casing having a screw mounting therein for an electric bulb and electrical connections to said screw mounting including a heat-actuated automatic make-and-break arrangement for causing flashing of said bulbs, each of said symbols having an internal frame threaded into said plastic casing, said frame having an elevated platform carrying said screw mounting and a base carrying said legs.

2. In a television reporting system, a display board showing a map of the area covered, a plurality of adjustable and removable symbols indicating weather at desired locations on said maps, said map and symbols being provided with cooperating means to hold said symbols in a desired adjusted position, said board being provided with a plurality of closely spaced electrical conduit strips alternately charged positively and negatively and said symbols being provided with positive and negative legs to contact said conduit strips, said symbols each consisting of a transparent plastic casing having a screw mounting therein for an electric bulb and electrical connections to said screw mounting including a heatactuated automatic make-and-break arrangement for causing flashing of said bulbs, each of said symbols having an internal frame threaded into said plastic casing, said frame having an elevated platform carrying said screw mounting and a base carrying said legs.

3. In a television reporting system, a display board showing a map of the area covered, a plurality of adjustable and removable symbols indicating weather at desired locations on said maps, said map and symbols being provided with cooperating means to hold said symbols in a desired adjusted position, said means including magnetic means on said board and on said symbols, said board being provided with a plurality of closely spaced electrical conduit strips alternately charged positively and negatively and said symbols being provided with positive and negative legs to contact said conduit strips, said symbols each consisting of a transparent plastic casing having a screw mounting therein for an electric bulb and electrical connections to said screw mounting including a heat-actuated automatic make-and-break arrangement for causing flashing of said bulbs, each of said symbols having an internal frame threaded into said plastic casing, said frame having an elevated platform carrying said screw mounting and a base carrying said legs.

4. In a television reporting system, a display board showing a map of the area covered, a plurality of adjustable and removable symbols indicating weather at desired locations on said maps, said map and symbols being provided with cooperating means to hold said symbols in a desired adjusted position, said symbols being provided with internal illuminating devices, said board being provided with a plurality of closely spaced electrical conduit strips alternately charged positively and negatively and said symbols being provided with positive and negative legs to contact said conduit strips, said symbols each consisting of a transparent plastic casing having a screw mounting therein for an electric bulb and electrical connections to said screw mounting including a heat-actuated automatic make-and-break arrangement for causing flashing of said bulbs, each of said symbols having an internal frame threaded into said plastic casing, said frame having an elevated platform carrying said screw mounting and a base carrying said legs.

5. In a television reporting system, a display board showing a map of the area covered, a plurality of adjustable and removable symbols indicating weather at desired locations on said maps, said map and symbols being provided with cooperating means to hold said symbols in a desired adjusted position, said symbols being provided with internal illuminating devices and said board being provided with a plurality of electrical circuits to actuate said devices, said board being of a laminated structure and having separated magnetic metal strips and conductor metal strips, said conductor metal strips being positioned on the top of the board adjacent to the symbols and said magnetic metal strips being positioned on the bottom of the board away from said symbols.

6. In a television reporting system, a display board showing a map of the area covered, a plurality of adjustable and removabl symbols indicating weather at desired locations on said maps, said map and symbols being provided with cooperating means to hold said symbol in a desired adjusted position, said symbols being provided with internal illuminating devices and said board being provided with a plurality of parallel closely spaced electrical conduits to illuminate said devices and said symbols being provided with internal flasher means, said board being of a laminated structure and having separated magnetic metal strips and conductor metal strips, said conductor metal strips being positioned on the top of the board adjacent to the symbols and said magnetic metal strips being positioned on the bottom of the board away from said symbols.

'7. An illuminated Weather laminated display board for use on television comprising a plurality of closely spaced negative and positive conducting strips on the top thereof, an intermediate insulation layer and permanent magnetic strips on the bottom thereof and a plurality of illuminated indicators to be positioned adjustably and removably on said board consisting of telescoping plastic shells screwed together and having contact legs projecting below the bottom thereof to contact said conducting strips and a metal base element to cooperate with said magnetic strips to hold said indicators in position.

8. The display board of claim 7 in which said indicators have an internal shell carrying a plurality of electric light bulbs :and high heat actuated make and break arrangement to cause said bulbs to flick on and off.

JOHN D. DAVIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 706,463 Smith Aug. 5, 1902 2,317,590 Compere Apr. 27, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 555,952 Great Britain Sept. 14, 1943 564,205 Great Britain Sept. 18, 1944 

